Coming out of Ichiraku Ramen, Shikamaru was carrying only half the items he had gone in with. He held the remaining bags in one hand, leaving the other free to wipe away Yuka's tears.
The young girl was crying with a heartbroken intensity. She had managed to hold it back while inside the shop, but the moment they stepped outside and left Momoko's sight, the tears broke like a rushing spring, impossible to stem. Startled, Shikamaru hurriedly fished a tissue from his pocket to dry her face, and then had to coax her gently once she was done.
This scene inexplicably reminded Shikamaru of when Yuka was little. Every time she cried, it was unforgettable; no matter how anyone coaxed her, she wouldn't stop until the person responsible did the comforting. Whoever made her cry had to be the one to fix it, otherwise she would just keep on weeping.
Chapter 277